We are at Turban Tales, the soon-to-open dhaba-themed restaurant by Jagjit, Gurcharan, Harmeet and Parvinder Singh. On a table with a rotating centre, decorated with paper fans, faux branches and a horn, are the dishes we are talking about: Fish Koliwada and Jhinga Pav
The interiors. Pics/Sameer Markande
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The Singh family knows a thing or two about that popular snack, Fish Koliwada. They claim their grandfather, Bahadur Singh, introduced the dish at his restaurant Mini Punjab in Sion Koliwada. In fact, Parvinder and Harmeet Singh tell us their fondest memory of the dish is their father giving them pav stuffed with Koliwada prawns and chutney for lunch, on their return from school.
We are at Turban Tales, the soon-to-open dhaba-themed restaurant by Jagjit, Gurcharan, Harmeet and Parvinder Singh. On a table with a rotating centre, decorated with paper fans, faux branches and a horn, are the dishes we are talking about: Fish Koliwada and Jhinga Pav. The fish preparation (Rs 249) is well-cooked, but the batter lacks the flavour we expect from the rich spices in it. The Jhinga Pao (Rs 299) has juicy prawns between fluffy bite-sized paos but the batter doesn't impress.
Paneer Papdi Poppers
Flavour wars
Turban Tales belongs to the Mini Punjab family, but is completely unique when it comes to the interiors. High on kitsch, quirk and must-Instagram-this-now quotient, there are painted matkas, low cots, overturned buckets suspended from the ceiling, tables laid on tractor engines and stools made of kadhais.
The food on the whole, impresses. The Tikka Supreme (Rs 235) is tender and has a cheesy centre making for a hearty dish. We are impressed by the smokiness of the Reshmi Soy Chaap (Rs 200), easily the best mock meat dish we've tasted.
Jalebi Chaat
Among the chaats, we like the Jalebi Chaat (Rs 199), with the tiny, sweet, syrup-less jalebi adding a nice bite to the soft, cold dahi vadas. We find ourselves returning to the Paneer Papdi Poppers (Rs 209) — fried paneer wrapped in a papad crust. The Patiala Fried Chicken (Rs 229) is a typical succulent dhaba-style dish flavoured simply with coriander powder, tomato, onion and chillies.
Mummy di Daal
Our favourite dish of the night comes from the aptly-named Mummy di Daal (Rs 229) served with rotis laid out on a mini cot. This dal makhni is filled with the richness of cream and butter, and packed with flavour.
Kitchen experiments
The restaurant wants to promote small plates and smaller portion sizes. The Punjabi Tapas section features traditional dishes, staying true to flavour, but served innovatively. While we love the warm and tangy saag in the Makke Tartlets-Sarson Da Saag DIY (R239) we aren't fans of the rotis served as tartlets.
Among other small plates, the meat in the Lamb Galouti on Sheermal (Rs 245) is well-flavoured but a bit dry; it could've done with a yoghurt dip, instead of coriander chutney.
Chuski Rita
The drinks section too, has familiar flavours, with a twist. We are impressed and slightly intimidated by the Patiala Booze Ice Tea (Rs 500/600 ml), which comes served in a tall brass tumbler, filled to the brim with sweet raspberry apple iced tea (we tried the mocktail version). The kiwi popsicle adds a nice fruity freshness to the margarita experiment, the Chuski Rita (Rs 375).
Patiala Booze Ice Tea
Cold fried caviar (Rs 400) is perfect for the summer — a refreshing vodka drink, it has fresh curry leaf, watermelon, cranberry and just a pinch of black pepper.
Opens: on April 15
Time: 6 pm to 1.30 am
At" Turban Tales, second floor, above Mini Punjab Lake Side, near Panch Kutir Bus Stop, Jogeshwari Vikhroli Link Road, Powai.
Call: 25708633
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